The Ship Inn

The 2012 edition of The List's Eating & Drinking Guide is out now – only £5.95 (+p&p).

This review is taken from the current (2012) edition.

Overlooking Elie’s sandy bay, the Ship Inn offers well-prepared, comforting fare in a relaxed and sociable setting. The cosy bar with timber beam ceiling and roaring fire leads to two further dining rooms and a balconied first floor overspill. Décor and furniture are reassuringly informal with photographs of old Elie and maritime influenced artwork throughout. Local sourcing is to the fore with flaky fresh haddock in crispy light beer batter and generously filled seafood pie with rich, cheesy crumb topping. Chalkboard specials bring home-made scotch eggs and Guinness-rich steak pie while caper-dressed leaves complement smoked salmon tart and raspberry coulis lifts oozy baked brie. The menu brochure highlights year-round events from Easter egg hunts to a stylish James Bond themed evening with beer garden barbecues supporting beach cricket and a summer beach hut dispensing coffees and Cream o’ Galloway ice cream. Now in their 23rd year as owners Richard and Jill lead an efficient and cordial front of house helping the hospitable Ship remain at the forefront of community life.

• High point: Generous fillets of haddock and home-made tartare
• Low point: Seafood pie a little too rich for some

Listed in The Larder – in the shops now or buy online.

On a sunny day the Ship Inn is the focal point of Elie, with the cosy, wood-lined interior abandoned for the outdoor terrace with its bay views and ideal vantage for beach cricket. Top notch haddock and chips and pies are staples on the menu, with chalkboard specials and home-made burgers for Sunday barbecues. Owners Richard and Gill Philip have recently taken over the Golf Tavern across the bay in Earlsferry – again, expect spot-hitting bar food and real ales.